Cannabis in Tunisia

Tunisian pilgrim, 1878

Cannabis in Tunisia is illegal since 1953.[1] Cannabis is also known as zatla nationally or takrouri regionally.[2]

History

Cannabis is believed to have been introduced to Tunisia during the Arab invasions of the 9th through 12th centuries.[3] In 1550 Leo Africanus' Description of Africa described hashish consumption in Tunis:

They have here a compound called Lhasis [ihasis in the original Italian], whereof whosoever eateth but one ounce falleth a laughing, disporting, and dallying, as if he were half drunken; and is by the said confection marvellously provoked unto lust.[4]

Cannabis was banned in Tunisia by decree on 23 April, 1953.[2]

Enforcement

Using or possessing entails 1–5 years of imprisonment + 1000-3000 dinars (around 500$-1500$). Selling, transporting or cultivating entails 6–25 years of imprisonment + 5000-100,000 dinars (around 2500$-50,000$).

Tunisia still uses urinalysis to prove cases of use without possession. If the urinalysis is below "20 nanogram/litre", defendant will be accused by inhalation which is 6 months of imprisonment.[5][6][7]

References

  1. ↑ United Nations. Commission on Narcotic Drugs (1949). Summary of Annual Reports of Governments Relating to Opium and Other Narcotic Drugs. TUNISIA 18. A Decree of 23 April 1953“ (published in the Journal Officiel Tunisien of 28 April 1953) prohibits the cultivation of cannabis and the use of takrouri (cannabis) and specifies the conditions under which the ...
  2. 1 2 Summary of Annual Reports of Governments Relating to Opium and Other Narcotic Drugs. United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs. 1955. p. 4.
  3. ↑ Gabriel G. Nahas; Kenneth M. Sutin; David J. Harvey; Stig Agurell (5 April 1999). Marihuana and Medicine. Springer Science & Business Media. pp. 4–. ISBN 978-1-59259-710-9.
  4. ↑ Leo (Africanus) (1896). The History and Description of Africa: And of the Notable Things Therein Contained. Hakluyt Society. p. 722.
  5. ↑ The Rough Guide to Tunisia – Daniel Jacobs, Peter Morris – Google grâmatas. Books.google.com. Retrieved 2013-06-23.
  6. ↑ "Tunisia accuses 'missing' Maltese of smuggling cannabis". timesofmalta.com. Retrieved 2013-06-23.
  7. ↑ "النصوص القانونية المتعلقة بقطاع الأمن في تونس". (in Arabic)
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